Jr. Specialist-Sudarshana Lab

Job #JPF02007

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - PLANT PATHOLOGY

We are no longer accepting applications for this recruitment

Description

Research
• The incumbent of this position will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities through the following roles and duties:
• Assist the PI in discovery and documentation of known and new viral pathogens in the investigations of diseases of grapevines, tree fruit and nut crops.
• Assist the PI in setting up field and greenhouse trials (experimental design, study set up), data collection, analysis and interpretation, and contribute to resulting reports and scholarly manuscripts for peer reviewed journals.
• Conduct PCR and qPCR assays to detect viruses and phytoplasmas.
• Clone viral and plant genes for laboratory studies and for biotechnological applications.
• Prepare RNA and DNA samples for deep sequencing analysis.
• Perform literature searches to determine prior art before and during experimentation, andprepare protocols for laboratory experiments.
• Perform nucleotide sequence searches on public domain databases, conduct multiple sequence alignments to design primers for cloning and PCR-based detections.
• Present research data at national or regional meetings of the American Phytopathological Society or other scientific meetings.
• Assist in the preparation of manuscripts, posters and power point presentations.
• Assist the PI in the development of grant proposals based on preliminary data collected in previous studies conducted by the incumbent, including development of project objectives, experimental methods and project background information.
• This position includes the responsibility of maintaining safety standards and meeting regulatory requirements, training and management of undergraduate student assistants and volunteers, and general laboratory management.
Professional Competence
• The incumbent will present research at the annual Walnut research conference, and annual meetings of the American Phytopathological Society. Presentations will be delivered in poster and oral presentation formats. The incumbent will have opportunities to develop presentation abilities in laboratory meetings and the UC Davis plant pathology department retreat and other local (on-campus) events.
• The incumbent will be encouraged to have membership with the American Phytopathological Society, Pacific Division and national.
University and Public Service
• The incumbent will work with the PI to help viticulture and orchard crop farm advisors by carrying out laboratory tests occasionally for the diagnosis of viral pathogens. These diagnosis services are conducted free of charge, representing a significant service to the research community and agricultural producers.
• As a component of university service, the incumbent will also be asked to serve on one or more department committees, such as the Department Safety Committee or the Facilities Committee.
• Provides training to graduate students and other researchers in performing qPCR and digital PCR analysis.

UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and is dedicated to recruiting a diverse faculty community. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis-- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.